In Ways I Never Imagined

 Many of us have gone through phases where we try to bargain with God. You know, the "God just get me out of this one thing this one time and I'll..." 

"Help me pass this test I didn't study for; don't let the teacher remember to call my parents..."

But what happens when we beg Him for something we perceive is good? When we fast and pray, crying out on our knees before Him to heal a broken heart, to fix a broken marriage, to repair a damaged relationship?

After all, it's not like we're begging Him for a new sports car or a lump of cash. No, we're pleading for something that by any stretch of the imagination is a good thing.

So what happens when the answer is no?

Seems there's a reason for that: 

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9 

 Every day for a year and a half, I begged God to fix my marriage. I pleaded with Him to heal my family. 

Looking back three years later, it is surprising to see the form that His answer took. His ways were not my ways. His thoughts were higher than my thoughts. 

I read a testimony today from someone who described almost the exact same situation that I experienced. They said that they begged God to heal their family, and now, looking back, they see that: 

"He did...He just did it in ways that I never imagined."

That statement hit me like a ton of bricks. But it's so true. 

I'm sitting here tonight counting my blessings, and I'm losing track. My relationship with my kids has never been better. My walk with the Lord is at new levels and getting better every day. (And other blessings that I'm not ready to share on the internet quite yet!!)

So looking back, I can see that He did answer my prayer. Not how I wanted things fixed.

But in ways I never imagined.